Councillor angry he had to foot the bill for grit bins

A COUNTY councillor who found funding for grit bins in Rubery said it was disgraceful the local authority did not provide them itself.

Coun Peter McDonald said Rubery residents can now expect the long-awaited grit bins to appear on Clent Road, The Avenue, Rednal Hill Lane, Richmond Road/Lyndon Road and Chapelfield Mews after they were all purchased through his divisional fund.

Coun McDonald said with many of the Rubery roads not being on the grit run, the bins were needed more now than ever.

“It has been a ridiculous situation where grit bins have clearly been needed yet the county council has refused to install them.

“Hopefully now Rubery side streets will be much more prepared for the worst of the coming winter,” he added.

According to the council’s records, Clent Road, Richmond Road/Lyndon Road and Chapelfield Mews were denied grit bins when they were requested because they did not meet the assessment criteria.

While The Avenue was denied because it was already on a designated gritting route and Rednal Hill Lane had not had a request submitted at all.

Coun John Smith OBE, responsible for highways, said the council assessed each request for a new grit bin against a set of criteria.

It takes into consideration the gradient of the road, whether the location is near to a bends or junctions, if it is included on the designated gritting routes, the level of traffic, the number of surrounding properties and the proximity of vulnerable residents.

“This has been the case for a number of years - decisions are not based on ‘cutbacks’ as it has been claimed.

“The divisional funds allocated to all county councillors have proved popular as it allows local members the opportunity to respond to requests like this from residents in their divisions, which is what has happened in this case,” he added.